PM issues slew of urgent measures to deal with Covid-19 situation

TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2020
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued 14 urgent measures today (March 3) to handle the Covid-19 situation, government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said.

They are:
1. State agencies must strictly enforce the Public Health Ministry’s measures and guidelines on the outbreak and, if need be, can also issue their own internal measures.
2. State officials have to suspend or postpone overseas official trips in countries where the virus is spreading and countries being monitored by the Public Health Ministry. If they cannot cancel the trips, they need permission from their heads or related agencies to go on the trips.
3. State employees who have returned to Thailand from countries at risk or have transited these countries or suspected to have contracted the virus can work at home for 14 days to observe their condition; the work at home will not be regarded as taking a leave.
4. An information centre will be set up at Government House to integrate information from all agencies and receive complaints as well as provide the right information to the public regarding the virus.
5. The Commerce, Public Health, and Industry ministries will jointly evaluate the demand for products needed for preventing the situation from escalating, such as gels and masks, and provide these to sufficiently cater to public needs.
6. The Commerce Ministry must prevent hoarding of such products both online and in shops/stores.
7. Transport agencies and local administrative bodies must strictly screen passengers at key areas such as airports, train stations and bus stations.
8. The Labour and Foreign ministries have to closely monitor and take care of Thais living in the countries hit by the virus.
9. The Interior and Defence ministries will prepare locations for quarantine and observe the condition of people who have returned to Thailand or those who are suspected of having been infected.
10. In case the Public Health Ministry and related agencies have to procure medical equipment needed to handle the outbreak, they can coordinate with the Budge Bureau to ask for more money.
11. The committee preparing the prevention of and solutions for the coronarivus should hold a meeting on a regular basis and constantly update the PM on the situation.
12. The Public Health Ministry must take care of medical personnel and staff and provide them with special welfare to boost their morale.
13. The Interior and Public Health ministries have to integrate their information on the situation.
14. State agencies will seek the cooperation of private companies to avoid or postpone activities that will see a mass gathering of people, which might expose them to the risk of virus infection.